Drinking Tumbler

ABSTRACT

A tumbler comprising:a tumbler body having a top region and a bottom region, a tumbler interior and a tumbler exterior periphery, the tumbler exterior periphery extending from said top region to said bottom region, said tumbler side periphery generally planer from said top region to said bottom region;said tumbler body having a tumbler top defining an opening in communication with the tumbler interior, a tumbler bottom and a tumbler sidewall for defining a liquid reservoir;at least one thread disposed within said tumbler interior;a lid for enclosing said tumbler interior; andsaid lid having at least one thread for matingly engaging said at least one thread disposed within said tumbler interior for interlocking said lid with said tumbler body maintaining said lid in a fixed position and wherein said lid may be removed from said tumbler body by rotational movement.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a tumbler for drinking and more particularly to a tumbler which is dishwasher safe, slip resistant and spill proof.

BACKGROUND

Tumblers for drinking are popular. Certain tumblers are manufactured to maintain hot liquids hot and cold liquids cold. While these tumblers are suitable for their intended purposes, the tumblers still have deficiencies. In particular, tumblers are prone to being knocked over spilling the contents and creating a mess. This occurs because tumblers utilize lids which are frictionally engaging and when the tumbler is accidently tipped over, the lid easily falls off allowing the contents to spill out. Additionally, the bottom of a tumbler tends to be smooth and may readily slide on a smooth surface thus promoting the possibility of the tumbler tipping over.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide a tumbler which is spill proof and may be slip resistant while being dishwasher safe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tumbler comprising:

-   -   a tumbler body having a top region and a bottom region, a         tumbler interior and a tumbler exterior periphery, the tumbler         exterior periphery extending from said top region to said bottom         region, said tumbler side periphery generally planer from said         top region to said bottom region;     -   said tumbler body having a tumbler top defining an opening in         communication with the tumbler interior, a tumbler bottom and a         tumbler sidewall for defining a liquid reservoir;     -   at least one thread disposed within said tumbler interior;     -   a lid for enclosing said tumbler interior; and     -   said lid having at least one thread for matingly engaging said         at least one thread disposed within said tumbler interior for         interlocking said lid with said tumbler body maintaining said         lid in a fixed position and wherein said lid may be removed from         said tumbler body by rotational movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the invention will be more readily understood through the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tumbler illustrating a top view exposing the interior of the tumbler according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tumbler illustrating a bottom view with a slip resistant bottom pad according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tumbler illustrating a bottom view of the tumbler with the slip resistant bottom pad removed. top view exposing the interior of the tumbler according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cut-view of the tumbler illustrating the locking lid mechanism and removable slip resistant pad in place according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to tumblers and more particularly to an improved tumbler design which provides for a safe drinking experience reducing the risk of spillage of the contained liquid. The tumblers may be of any particular size such as twenty-two ounces, thirty-two ounces and the like.

In the preferred embodiment, as seen in FIG. 4, tumbler 100 preferably is of a cylindrical shape having an upper rim 102 at a top end 103 which includes an upper rim inner surface 104 and an upper rim outer surface 106. Upper rim 102 includes an upper rim portion 128 and an upper rim bottom portion 130. Upper rim 102 defines a tumbler opening 108. A bottom rim 110 is located adjacent the bottom of the tumbler 100. Preferably the tumbler profile 112 between the upper rim bottom portion 130 and bottom rim 110 is planar. The planar profile is conducive to decorating the tumbler with various designs. The designs may be attached to the tumbler utilizing various techniques such as 3 d printing, water paper, decal transfer, engraving, silk screening, sublimation, hydro dipping, and water rotation. A non-planar surface results in crimping of particular designs.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a lid locking assembly 120 is provided for locking lid 121 in a secure engagement with tumbler 100. In the preferred embodiment, lid locking assembly 120 includes male and female threads 122 and 124 respectively carried within top rim inner surface 104 and on the body of lid 121. The interlocking threads enable lid 121 to be secured to tumbler 100 in a manner which prevents the removal of the lid without physical rotational manipulation of the lid in an unscrewing type action. The lid is enabled to be rotated and screwed onto the tumbler body until the lid's upper portion 130 engages the top of top rim 102 as seen in FIG. 4. In this locking position, the lid is securely maintained intact with the tumbler body and movement of the lid is prevented. Additionally, with the threads intertwined, a sealed covering is provided preventing liquid in the interior of the tumbler from leaving the interior except through a path established by a lid opening 150. In the preferred embodiment, a sliding closure 152 carried by the lid is operable to seal the interior of the tumbler, or to slide open providing for a channel to dispense the liquid stored within the tumbler interior through lid opening 150. In the preferred embodiment, locking threads 122 are defined within the interior of upper rim 102 between the upper rim portion 128 and bottom rim portion 130.

A unique advantage of providing threads to secure the lid in place is that the lid may be rotated to a final locked position wherein the opening of the sliding closure 152 is consistently positioned at a set orientation with respect to the sides of the tumbler. This final locking position is repeatable and defines a reference point for positioning a design onto the tumbler. For instance, if the design read “World's Greatest Dad” it is preferable that the person using the tumbler views the design as they are using the tumbler. This is accomplished by positioning the design on the tumbler in a manner wherein when the person is sipping from the tumbler when the sliding closure 152 is in an open position the design is presented to the user on the side of the tumbler which the sliding closure is facing. By defining a final locked position, the establishment of a particular initial point of reference for the placement of a design may be had thus consistently providing designs in a manner where the orientation of the sliding closure and the body are known prior to the design being applied. This knowledge enables the designer to create a design in a manner which may be undertaken knowing the viewpoint of the user. This arrangement enables the designer to provide a design tailored to the viewpoint of the user as the viewpoint will always be consistent based on the location of the opening of the sliding closure.

In the preferred embodiment, lid 121 is made from shatterproof material enabling the tumbler to remain spill proof even if dropped. In the preferred embodiment, lid 121 is made from Tritan plastics by Eastman.

As shown in FIG. 4, tumbler 100 has a tumbler body 180 which preferably is a double wall stainless steel body. The double wall stainless steel body includes an outer stainless steel wall 182 and an interior stainless steel wall 186. Preferably a copper boundary layer 186 is disposed between the two stainless steel walls.

In addition to providing a locking lid mechanism, in the preferred embodiment, tumbler 100 includes a non-slip bottom pad 200. The non-slip bottom pad 200 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Non-slip bottom pad 200 is preferably made from a flexible material such as rubber. Non-slip bottom pad 200 has a planar bottom surface 202 which enables the tumbler to evenly rest upon a flat surface. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the non-slip bottom pad 200 rests within the profile of the tumbler profile enabling the appearance of the tumbler body to remain uninterrupted along its length providing for a unitary appearance.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, tumbler bottom 300 includes a unique configuration for retaining the non-slip bottom pad securely in place. Tumbler bottom 300 includes a bottom outer rim 302. Offset from the bottom outer rim 302 is an internal central boss 306 which preferably includes a continuous boss rim 308. Both bottom outer rim 302 and internal central boss 306 are integrally formed with tumbler bottom 300 and have sufficient length or depth to define non-slip bottom pad channel 310 within the offset between the bottom outer rim 302 and boss rim 308. In the preferred embodiment, a secondary non-slip bottom pad channel 312 is formed within the interior of continuous boss rim 308.

As shown in FIG. 4, non-slip bottom pad 200 has an integral body having a continuous non-slip bottom pad wall 400 which extends upward from a non-slip bottom pad bottom surface 402. The non-slip bottom pad wall 400 extends upward for being received within non-slip bottom pad channel 310. In the preferred embodiment, non-slip bottom pad bottom surface 402 is made of a non-slip surface such as rubber. In the preferred embodiment the entire non-slip bottom pad 200 is integrally formed from rubber enabling the pad to deform and frictionally be retained within non-slip bottom pad channel 310. While the non-slip bottom pad wall 400 is defined in nomenclature as a non slip item, this is merely done for clarity in its relation to the non-slip bottom pad 200 and the non-slip bottom pad wall may be of any material suitable for frictional engagement within non-slip bottom pad channel. The frictional engagement relieves the requirement of an adhesive or the like which is not dishwasher safe.

Accordingly it may be seen that a more advantageous design of a tumbler may be had according to the present invention by providing for a spill proof construction and also a slip resistant bottom. By utilizing a threaded tumbler interior and a mutually threaded lid for establishing a sealed and locked interface between the tumbler and lid, the lid is simultaneously secured to the tumbler in the event the tumbler is dropped or tipped over while also establishing a seal by the threaded interface. Furthermore the non-slip surface of the bottom is constructed in a manner which also enables the tumbler to be dish washer safe by utilizing a frictional force to maintain the non-slip pad in place and not using an adhesive. The combination of the slip proof bottom and secured lid reduces spillage by initially maintaining the tumbler in engagement with a surface via the non-slip surface and also by securing the lid in tact with the tumbler. Furthermore, by providing for a shatter proof lid, the lid and tumbler will not break if the tumbler is dropped. 

We claim: 1: A tumbler comprising: a tumbler body having a top region and a bottom region, a tumbler interior and a tumbler exterior periphery, the tumbler exterior periphery extending from said top region to said bottom region, said tumbler side periphery generally planer from said top region to said bottom region; said tumbler body having a tumbler top defining an opening in communication with the tumbler interior, a tumbler bottom and a tumbler sidewall for defining a liquid reservoir; at least one thread disposed within said tumbler interior; a lid for enclosing said tumbler interior; and said lid having at least one thread for matingly engaging said at least one thread disposed within said tumbler interior for interlocking said lid with said tumbler body maintaining said lid in a fixed position and wherein said lid may be removed from said tumbler body by rotational movement. 